TSCF conference
To be honest, I wasn't really keen on going. It's a full week of holidays gone, and as usual it will be really tiring. But the decision to go and experience conference again was a wise one. I've learned so much, experienced so much, and I will not exchange those few days for anything else (save for the weather).
I don't really know how I'm suppose to sum up what I've learned, because there are just so many things! However, there are some that are more significant than others. The significances lie in the way the lessons changed my view on my past, and my perceptions on my future. One of the most significant lessons was on being "holy, blameless and righteous". I've never thought that these goals were possible, and yet Paul can truthfully say that that's how he was. I'm not really sure how I'm suppose to go about doing that, but I guess if I walk along the mindset of always trying to honour God, despite of my adequacies, and trying to love people even though it can sometimes be hard, perhaps I can be that way.
The topic on "sex in light of eternity" was probably the topic that caught everyone's interest. I think it was good that Andrew gave it bluntly to us, telling us straight in the face the importance of being pure sexually in the sight of God, and the consequences if this is not followed (they are pretty terrifying). And despite it all, we know of the adulterous woman that received forgiveness from Jesus, and was not condemned. So there is room for grace. Such a terrible sin in His sight, and yet it was pardoned. Such grace my heart does not understand, my soul cannot comprehend.
There was also a session on work. It's challenging to do everything as if everything is a service to God. Work is hard and cursed after the Fall, but work nevertheless is endowed by God. So it is important to be good at what God has called us to do, for this is the greatest testimony one can give. This tied in well with Dave's story about being the best electrician when under apprenticeship, so that the faith can be shown through actions.
Dave was in charge of the night sessions. He quoted a line from Shantaram, a book that I've highly enjoyed. "There is no belief in God. You either know God, or you don't know God." That is so true. If we know God, then we believe in Him. If we don't know God, then what's there to believe? He also talk about having good relationships with people and just loving them, without an expectation of change. All are created in the image of God, so all should be treated like they carry a little of God in them. People can be really hard to love sometimes. So that was a real challenge. He also encourage us to find our identities in Christ, and to learn to integrate our individual stories and cultures with Christ.
So many things...
... and I hope that these won't just stay at stuff written in my journal
... but that I can live what I've learned, and live what I believe in.
People there were awesome as well. It was good to see familiar faces and to get to know new ones. And perhaps such bonds will have opportunities in the future to grow. I'm really bad at keeping in touch. I guess I should try, or maybe everyone else can just join Facebook so we can know whats going on in everyone's lives. Or maybe everyone should just come read this space and start a blog and I'll go read their space. Whatever suits. AJ enjoyed "himself" as well. Many fingers have used "him" to make good music.
And the BEST thing about conference: God time. It's easy to forget to cherish Him in the midst of learning and fun.
Quotes that I got from conference:
~ You cannot try to be clever, and glorify Jesus at the same time ~
~ There is in every single one of us, a consuming passion, the ultimate concern. We call this "the longing for God". ~
~ Purity of the heart is to will one thing, and one thing only ~
~ To thine own self be true ~
~ Character is who you are in the dark ~
~ Your sermon terrifies me, but your life reassures me ~
~ To live without suffering is to die without glory ~
~ Let my lot come to naught, but let me not lose Christ ~
~ Before the Fall, Adam and Eve had no shame, because there was no perversion. No perversion because there was true EROS ~
~ Be passionate about love, truth and beauty ~
~ Look to me. Look for me. ~
And the best one...
~ Up on a lonely hill, two lovers kissed, and the world stood still... ~
